Interview with Joy Harrison about her brother Gunner Joseph Kenneth Vick and his Second World War service
Audio Player:
Date(s): 17 July 2008
Creator(s): Manx National Heritage
Scope & Content: Joy Harrison (and her sister) talks to Matthew Richardson about her late brother Gunner Joseph Kenneth Vick and his Second World War experiences. Joy talks about her brother's early days at Albert School; apprenticeship as mechanic; enlistment in the army against his parents’ wishes even though he was in a reserved occupation; how he went to Woolwich; how her parents were upset and worried; he was stationed in Colwyn, Wales and his letters from abroad; his health problems after the war and how he worked for the Highways; an anecdote about him falling out of the wagon in Brussels; drinking with his friend Jo Collister from Kirk Michael; how Joseph was a water wagon driver; how he got lost in the desert; his mental health problems caused by the war; how he was not in a Manx Regiment (shows photos of his friend Taffy in the war and points out various people in pictures including Uncle George Collins and someone called Dowler, a joiner, their mother in Ramsey and Joseph on a camel); shows a painting of Joseph from the war which he didn’t like having in the house as it brought back difficult memories.
Joy talks about how her father had a cycle shop in Ramsey; how Joseph had a Dutch girlfriend; how he was interested in wireless radio; Gunner Tregellis; (looks at photos of Italy and a metal crest from a tank that Joseph kept in the front room); talks about the auction of his belongings; recalls souvenirs such as a rosary acquired in Italy; how Joseph died, buried on 1 April 2008; regret that they didn’t donate all of Joseph's memorabilia to the Manx Museum.
Language: English
Extent: 19 min. 21 sec.
Item name: compact disc
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2009-0011
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH